Development of non-formal adult education through the history of the People’s university of Zasavje

Abstract

This article examines the development of non-formal adult education at the People’s University of Zasavje. It compares two historical periods: the one between 1984 to 1991, when the People’s University functioned within the Yugoslav state, with the one between 2004 to 2011, already within the independent state of Slovenia and characterized by cooperation with the EU. The development of non-formal education was examined on the basis of analysis of the adult education programmes carried out at this institution. The differences in the gender and age structure of participants in general non-formal education were examined, as were the sources of financing and the types of adults joining this kind of education. Comparative analysis revealed that general non-formal adult education at the People’s University of Zasavje had much smaller attendance during the first period than during the second and pointed out the considerable differences in both the gender and age structure of the participants and in sources of financing. Basic differences within the trends relating to this type of adult education were also identified.